Attentional costs of walking are not affected by variations in lateral balance demands in young and older adults

Highlights • Attentional costs of walking are assumed to vary with lateral balance demands. • Balance demands were increased by walking with a visually imposed narrow step width. • Balance demands were lowered by walking in a lateral stabilization device. • Variation in lateral balance demands did not affect attentional costs of walking. • Attentional costs were affected when step width was imposed with visual lines.